COVID-19: Stars like Olivia Colman call for a “gadget tax” to fund the arts | Ents & Arts News

Olivia Coleman and Imelda Staunton are among dozens of high-profile artists calling for a levy on tech gadgets to help fuel the creative industries recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

The art industry has been hit hard by COVID-19.

It’s worth £ 10.8 billion to the UK economy, but the but Coronavirus The crisis has left venues closed, events canceled and thousands of jobs at risk.

The organizers behind the proposal say the smart fund could raise up to £ 300 million a year by paying between 1% and 3% of the sales value of devices such as cell phones, laptops and personal computers.

The money generated would be put into a central fund that would be used to “adequately reward the creators and artists who live off their content” and to stimulate the economy as a whole.

Similar programs – consisting of groups of visual artists, writers, actors and directors – are available in 44 countries, according to the Smart Fund.

Supporters include Oscar, Bafta, and Turner award winners, including The Crown star Colman, Vera Drake actress Staunton, and artists Sir Frank Bowling, Rachel Whiteread, and Yinka Shonibare.

Gilane Tawadros, executive director of the Design And Artists Copyright Society (DACS), one of the groups supporting the Smart Fund, said, “Working with the tech industry and innovators in the sector, we want to help creators and artists rebuild and rebuild the UK world-leading cultural heritage, tourism and creative industries and contribute to its soft power and international reputation.

“The arts supply the engine room of cultural regeneration, recreation and renewal for the whole country.”

Shonibare said, “The Smart Fund is a no-brainer. There is currently no effective way for creators to receive compensation for their work being downloaded and saved by the audience.

“This remains one of the greatest untapped opportunities for creators and performers.

“The Smart Fund provides an opportunity to invest in creative talent of all ages and backgrounds and their communities.”